Republican Sen. Nancy Spence is known throughout the General Assembly as a leader on Colorado’s education issues.

Spence served on the Cherry Creek School Board for three terms before running for the Colorado State House in 1998.

“It was satisfying to serve at the school district grassroots level where I felt quite close to my constituents and local education issues."

Spence, of Centennial, is the ranking Republican on the Senate Education Committee

and is a veteran of the education reform movement in Colorado.

She also serves on the Senate Transportation Committee and was elected Assistant Minority Leader by her colleagues.

While in the House, Spence carried a bill that would have implemented Colorado’s first ever school voucher program for low-income students. The measure was stopped short by a court challenge that was filed by groups unfriendly to school choice.

The senator says that her motivation for education choice is fueled by concern for low-income families who are stuck in failing classrooms without the resources to move to a better school district or attend a private school.

“The disparity between opportunities that students have in Cherry Creek schools and the education offered to kids in some districts in Colorado was disturbing,” she said.

Spence then began to think about education reform from a statewide perspective.

A Colorado native, Spence has watched the state grow and mature over the years. She was raised in a neighborhood in south Denver close to the University of Denver and attended South High School where she met her husband, Peter. They will celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary this year.

In her spare time, Spence enjoys playing golf and racquetball. Traveling has always been a priority and she has visited many countries around the world.

Spence’s honesty and humility in the state legislature and her self-deprecating sense of humor has made her popular within the caucus, where she can always be counted on as a leader.

“I love serving in the legislature. Public policy issues and problem solving are a daily challenge – I hope I make a positive difference for the people of Colorado,” Spence said.